A Cottage by the Sea - On My Mind

Resident fox

5/13/2021

We have a resident fox. Grey, as in fox, first appeared a few weeks ago, and has continued to visit every few days, at daybreak of late afternoon. At least, that’s when we’ve noticed him.
One morning I saw him dash away from my kitchen window where he must have been enjoying the birdseed dropped from the feeder. No wonder I haven’t see our resident bunny later. In fact, my son saw the dinner remains of some furry animal in our woods.
We love seeing Grey once in a while. He is more afraid of us than we might be of him. Truth be told, a resident fox doesn’t get in the way of our solitude.

According to humansociety.org, “A fox cutting through your yard is probably just passing through on their way between hunting areas and no action is necessary on your part.”

Serious Lock Down Advice

5/12/2021

This from Raven’s Bread, a newsletter for people who appreciate solitude.
http://wwww.ravensbreadministries.com

Serious Lock Down Advice: Please be careful because people are going crazy. I was just discussing this with the microwave and the toaster while drinking my tea, and we all agreed that things are getting bad. I didn’t mention this to the washing machine because she puts a different spin on EVERYTHING!! Certainly couldn’t share with the fridge ‘cause he’s been cold and distant. In the end, the iron straight- ened me out. She said the situation isn’t all that pressing and all the wrinkles will soon get ironed out. The vacuum, however, was very unsympathetic...told me to just suck it up. But the fan was VERY optimistic, giving me hope that it will blow over soon. The toilet looked a bit flushed but said nothing. I asked its opinion but the front door said goodbye 2020. I was becom- ing unhinged and the doorknob told me to get a grip. You can just about guess what the curtains told me: they said to “pull myself together.” We will survive.

We only need one car

5/10/2021

Now here is simplicity for you. No, not for you to follow, but as example of what we are able to do to simplify at this juncture in our life. “We now only have one car.” That’s the positive way of reporting it. I could have said, “We got rid of one of our cars,” which isn’t a negative statement, but may give a little clue to how delighted we are.
We don’t need two cars anymore. We can share. We are saving money by not paying insurance, registration, yearly inspection, and maintenance. We have more room in the garage. We gave the car to our son who will pass it on to one of our grandchildren. We kept it in good condition, but his mechanic will give it a look-over to be certain it is still good for the road.
That 2004 green Camry made important trips with me. Trips around town; trips to visit my mom; trips to the cottage-by-the-sea. Throughout it’s entire life, it proudly wore an Obama-Biden sticker, which I told me son, may be worth more than the car itself.

Water of Leith Walkway

5/6/2021

I came across this post that I had written June 6, 2017 in Edinburgh. I was there writing for a week and for some reason I never posted this one. Maybe I had saved it for this special moment of longing to be wandering about Edinburgh. I am grateful for the memory. In fact, those of us who love solitude, and spend time in it, are always appreciative of memories and seem to be able to call them forth with ease, and with enjoyment and gratitude.

     After a productive morning writing at the National Library, restless set in. Isn’t that the way—a burst of energy and then a letdown! I find that a change of pace, which often includes some exercise, usually lifts the fog.
     There’s always something new to discover when I wander about a city. Today, it was the Water of Leith Walkway, “a public footpath and cycleway that runs alongside the small river of the same name through Edinburgh, Scotland, from Balerno to Leith.” I came across it during my walk to the Royal Botanical Garden.
     Tomorrow, my last day, I plan to return to the walkway and tour the gardens. That is, after a visit to Holyroodhouse. I’m skipping the Castle this trip. Today the lines were way too long, which means way too crowded for a solitary travel like me.

Keeping solitude

5/4/2021

Now that things are opening up, and now that I personally feel more comfortable being out in public, I have to be careful that I don’t wake up one morning with a calendar full of social activities. How easy it could be for solitude to become no more than a good idea, something I long for, a dream for the future.
Since the beginning of the millennium twenty-one years ago, my life in community has found balance with my life of solitude. Those solitary trips to Italy and Scotland, and those winters at the cottage-by-the-sea are now in the past, but my solitude times at home remain deeply rewarding. There is no reason those shouldn’t continue, but I am aware that I must stay attentive so that the social me doesn’t take over the introverted me.

My word for 2021: patience

4/29/2021

Waiting for D's next trip.

This morning UpCycle Funk took away the treasures we had stacked in the garage. ‘I’m always surprised at what sells,” As D loaded her truck, she told me, “I’ll take anything.” And so she did. Of course the process isn’t over for D, but for me I just need to wait for the check she will send me.
It occurred to me that I had experienced pure patience throughout this entire experience, from contacting D, to getting stuff ready, to watching her drive away. It is my patience that I’m most excited about right now. Patience is the word of the year that I chose for 2021 because I don’t always have it. It’s the little things that test my patience, not the big things. Isn’t that the way?. For example, I haven’t been patient with my garbage removal company because they keep changing the pickup day. I notice, however, that I handle the big things with steadfastness, thoughtfulness, and courage. Isn’t that they way?

Getting simple

4/25/2021

Things are getting simpler here. Or, they will be soon. The painter’s equipment is all over the house, but on Monday it will magically disappear and the house will look like most homes I know—a few select items adorning the walls and tables. Today our son and daughter-in-law are coming to help us stack all our treasure in the garage ready for UpCycle Funk to come and take away them away on Thursday.

White walls brighten and enlarge

4/20/2021

The painters have taken over our kitchen and mudroom. They are organized, quiet, kind and clean. White walls brighten the room and make it appear bigger.
We’re on a roll to get rid of lots of stuff so that we can stay live here with ease. Here are two suggestions that my daughter read about to help in decision making as we sort things.
Ask, “Does this bring me joy?”
Say, “Thank you for your service?
Take a picture of the treasures you are passing on but want to remember.

You can do this!

4/15/2021

I’m back after a wonderful week’s visit from my daughter and son-in-law. Tony replaced a section of our fence and did a bunch of clearing out in the yard. Emily and I got the kitchen ready for the painters, who arrive tomorrow. This entailed loading up the dining room. (Good thing I’ve taken a hiatus from jigsaw puzzles!) They took a full car load of stuff for their neighborhood yard sale, but I’ll still have a lot to put back,— I still hope to simplify.
Now to carve some solitude into my life. “You can do this,” I tell myself. “You have done this before.”

Post pandemi routine

4/1/2021

Here I am at Panera in Framingham, Massachusetts enjoying a croissant and cafe-latte, doing my best to channel a brioche and cappuccino at Café Ricchi, Piazza di Santo Spirito, 8 in Florence, Italy. (I reminisced about that yesterday on “A Solitary Traveler”). It feels good to get out and change my year-long pandemic routine (PR), which I don’t need to describe because yours probably isn’t that different. But this sure isn’t Florence; Panera doesn’t even offer a version of cappuccino.
   Back to this shift in schedule. I wasn’t planning on it, but it had to happen. Yesterday I went to Barnes & Noble; I haven’t bought a new book in years, and plan to stick to the library, but it felt good to browse among the pristine books and do a little to help the economy. On I went to check out the newly renovated Michaels (formally A.C. Moore). It didn’t have the yarn colors I wanted but the sparkling interior gave me hope that change is coming, or at least that change can happen. As with peace, change has to start with me.
   I am a morning person; love to get up early; it’s my productive time. Case in point. Clearing and organizing the Angel Room has been on my to-do list since January 1st. So much for New Year’s resolutions! So today, tapping into that early-morning energy, I got to it, and presto, in less than 45 minutes I could check it off the list. A first change in my PR! And now, here I am enjoying my second change, getting out of the house and writing in a cafe.
   I don’t have a long attention span. Left on my own I do best when I move from one thing (location, activity) to another. So I’m on the move again. But let me be clear. I’m not giving up the solitude. Alone, sipping a cappuccino in a cafe in Italy is my absolute go-to way of being.